After reading the Bible and observing Church activities for more than 20 years, Sarom de-cided to start his catechumenate
Little did Francios Sarum Koy know that becoming an art teacher for children and youths at a Catholic church 20 years ago would lead him to join the body of Christ on Easter Sunday this year.
The 67-year-old Cambodian recalls his inner journey of seeking the light of God through his artwork began in 2002 at the St. Mary of the Smile Church in Chamkar Teang, a village in southern Takeo province, about 80 kilometers from capital Phnom Penh.
Sarum, who specialized in classical art, was invited to teach art at the church on Saturdays and Sundays. This led to him working as a part time staff at the Catholic Art office of Phnom Penh Vicariate in Takeo pro-vince.
Although not a Catholic, du-ring these years Sarum authored many Catholic stories into drama and dance performances during feasts and festivals, especially local Christmas celebrations.
“It was difficult when I first started writing Catholic stories, because I come from a Hindu-Buddhist background,” he says.
But Sarum, said, the most important thing during this period was that be began reading the Khmer Catholic Bible to under-stand the basics of the stories.